2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[da bears]

"Mon, Mar 23
Bill Ladson, of MLB.com, reports the Washington Nationals are concerned with the decrease in velocity that RP Joel Hanrahan displayed while pitching for the United States in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He was throwing in the high-80s to low-90s, but usually throws his fastball in the mid-90s.
(KFFL)"

any concerns on Hanrahan hearing this bit? I like his potential this year as a late round closer but sometimes a loss in velocity leads to some bad things.

[MaxJTucker41]

Who backs up hanrahan? I may try to trade him now.

[RotOAddicT]

If hanrahan doesn't close due to some injury or just sucking.... would garrett mock take over?

[AussieDodger]

If hanrahan doesn't close due to some injury or just sucking.... would garrett mock take over?

Steven Shell?

[neoforce]

If hanrahan doesn't close due to some injury or just sucking.... would garrett mock take over?

Steven Shell?

While not perfect, the best resource for that type of question is the frequently updated first post of this thread. Havok does a great job looking at each situation. At the very least that first post gives you a starting point to do some research.

In many cases, especially this time of year, no one can truly know who will take over for an injury. For example, while JJ Putz is obvious behind F-Rod, in the Brewer situation Havok lists Villanueva who has really stunk up the joint in spring training. That generated discussions here when Hoffmans injury happened especially given the managers comments on how Villanueva stunk up the joing. Again, no one can really know, but I sill agree with Havok's listing that Villanueva has the best shot at it should Hoffman start the year on the DL.

As for the Nats, Havok lists S. Rivera, S. Shell in that order.

[Havok1517]

Yeah looks like he failed really badly in 08.

Yeah, just forget how bad he was closing when Lidge had his '07 hiccup.

How many BS are we talking about? 3? 4? Not sure the exact timing of his role in 07 but he only blew 5 saves total.

His numbers the last two years are as good as most 2nd tier closers but why let facts get in the way?

Yeah, most of those numbers weren't in the 9th inning and those that were, weren't great. That is a fact.

[kab21]

Yeah, most of those numbers weren't in the 9th inning and those that were, weren't great. That is a fact.

in 2007 he only pitched in 15 games (51 BF) in the 9th inning giving up a .222/.286/.356/.641 line. In '08 his numbers were better than that in the 9th inning. So his struggles haven't been in the 9th inning and his overall numbers during the last 2 season have been very good (obviously not elite). Obviously his 9th inning numbers are SSS but they don't really jive with your FACT.

[Yoda]

Yeah, just forget how bad he was closing when Lidge had his '07 hiccup.

How many BS are we talking about? 3? 4? Not sure the exact timing of his role in 07 but he only blew 5 saves total.

His numbers the last two years are as good as most 2nd tier closers but why let facts get in the way?

Yeah, most of those numbers weren't in the 9th inning and those that were, weren't great. That is a fact.

So you are basing your judgment of a pitcher's performance on a whopping sample size of maybe 15 IPs? Now it is starting to make sense...

[T-Bone Costanza]

Is this enough to convince you change Chris Perez's icon from to ?

Chris Perez (shoulder) threw off a mound Monday for the first time since March 11.
Perez deemed himself ready for game action and is hoping to make six spring training appearances before Opening Day. However, while Perez was sidelined Jason Motte emerged as the leading candidate for the saves.

If the purpose of the smiley tool is a handy one-stop reference for all 32 closer jobs to use during a draft, then it failed me last night and I wasted a pick on this guy. In the end it's totally my own fault for not researching the kid better and done a rotoworld lookup on him, but with 1:30 on the clock and you're scrambling at the end, I thought I could count on that page to be more accurate.

[Havok1517]

How many BS are we talking about? 3? 4? Not sure the exact timing of his role in 07 but he only blew 5 saves total.

His numbers the last two years are as good as most 2nd tier closers but why let facts get in the way?

Yeah, most of those numbers weren't in the 9th inning and those that were, weren't great. That is a fact.

So you are basing your judgment of a pitcher's performance on a whopping sample size of maybe 15 IPs? Now it is starting to make sense...

I'm a believer that pitching in the 9th inning is far more stressful than just about every inning. There have been many relievers that have had the tools to close but couldn't produce the mental fortitude to close. His stuff is good but not close to great and he has failed at closing once in the past and could do so again. Now, Qualls has closed twice during his career. Once, when Lidge struggled in Houston and once when he took over for Lyon in the final 2 weeks of last season. One was bad and one was good. But with the presence of Pena and Rauch in the bullpen (two more talented arms) and the inexperience Qualls has in closing he is not rock solid in anyway. If Rauch and Pena hasn't been stinking it up when Lyon got replaced, either of them would have been chosen over Qualls to close. Qualls did well at the end of last year and deserves to be the closer to start the season but that is all.